Sep 1, 2012

Math Lesson From a Hurricane

According to something called Live Science, Mobile AL tops the list of soggiest cities. Really? Then how do you explain our high water bills from years of having to water our grass? It has to do with statistics. Ah, you knew there'd be math involved, didn't you?Mobile's weather patten, according to my completely unscientific observation, usually looks something like this: drought, drought, drought, drought, hurricane.For ease of calculation, let's say that each drought year brings just 30 inches of rain, and the hurricane year dumps 100. (These are not the actual numbers!)Mean: add them up and divide by the number of years you're counting. 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 100 = 240 240 / 5 = 48 Mean = 48 Median: line them up numerically from smallest to largest, and select the one in the center. 30, 30, 30, 30, 100. Median = 30Mode: the most popular. Which number occurs most frequently? Mode = 30

Mode, when talking about rainfall on a community, is the only statistic that matters to a homeowner. I want to know what to expect. Usually, we're going to have to water our lawn. Once in a while, a hurricane will come along and do it for us.

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Successful Families

The goal of any business is success. If your Catholic family were a business, how would you define and measure success? Adherence to the Magisterium of the Church? Money management? Positive relationships? Positive impact on the world around you? How about all of the above?

Important disclaimer: Connie is not a professional attorney, tax adviser, financial adviser, psychologist, psychic, nor any occupation which requires licensure. All advice is freely given, for entertainment and/or edification only, for you to accept or ignore at your discernment.